Meriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod Foundation

Nonprofit Issues:

Sports

Address:

7129 SW 2nd Ave % Gaabriel BecketPortlandOR97219USA

Mission:

To raise public awareness of Welsh heritage in North America, to celebrate Welsh-American culture and history; to preserve its works and to foster and encourage art and creativity in the Welsh tradition.

Results:

We hold the West Coast Eisteddfod, a Welsh-Americans arts and culture festival. In our first year, the festival was in Portland, Oregon and brought Welsh artists, writers and poets to Portland. In our second year, we held both an online eisteddfod and a live event in Portland, Oregon which featured poetry and storytelling competitions and brought Welsh and Welsh-American authors to the Wordstock Festival in Portland and provided authors to speak at local colleges. in 2011 our event will bring Welsh and Welsh-American writers and artists to Los Angeles, California. In 2010 we were also able to help a Welsh-American harpist get to Wales for an international youth harping competition.

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Reviews for Meriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod Foundation

Like many Americans, I have roots in many countries. Until recently few roots were traced to me and I felt compelled to find others. The Welsh root, once found, has been nourished by my association with the Meriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod Foundation, through volunteering in their festivals, as a participant in photographic and writing competitions, as audience to live music and especially in interactions with Welsh authors. One of the founders is my daughter who has always been interested in her personal history and that of particular peoples. At the latest Eisteddfod, the storytellers were particularly delightful as this form reconnected me in a powerful way with my youth, my children's and grandchildren's. Storytelling was an important part of our families' social interactions. It's what we do at all our gatherings, in reminiscence and as catch up about our lives spent apart. The feeling is very different from that when stories are read, to you or alone. The connection is full, immediate. I believe there is much potential in this foundation, for projects and activities that have yet been imagined or launched, and plan to continue my support.

I was inspired to become a donor to the Meriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod because I believe the Welsh culture is seriously under-represented in North America. While everyone knows the cultural contributions of the Irish and the Scottish, few know anything of the Welsh. It is my belief that the M.L.M.E offers both Welsh-North Americans and those interested in Welsh culture an opportunity to sample it in a way that is modern, vibrant and valid. It represents the Welsh of today, and their achievements, contributions and aspirations in North American society. The M.L.M.E is inclusive and welcoming to all who have an interest in things Welsh and I am very proud to be associated with it.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

I was inspired to become a donor to the Meriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod because I believe the Welsh culture is seriously under-represented in North America. While everyone knows the cultural contributions of the Irish and the Scottish, few know anything of the Welsh. It is my belief that the M.L.M.E offers both Welsh-North Americans and those interested in Welsh culture an opportunity to sample it in a way that is modern, vibrant and valid. It represents the Welsh of today, and their achievements, contributions and aspirations in North American society. The M.L.M.E is inclusive and welcoming to all who have an interest in things Welsh and I am very proud to be associated with it.